Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

By: Justin Christensen and Michael Gucciardo

Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations, call obsessions, or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something, or compulsions.

The person usually performs these behaviors to give themselves relief from the obsessive thoughts, but it only gives temporary relief, and it gives them great anxiety if they do not complete these obsessive rituals.

What causes OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is genetic, but has not yet been identified. OCD has been caused by a persons enviroment and can be learned from habits picked up over time. Insufficient seratonin levels have also been confirmed in OCD patients, and medications that boost these levels seem to help. It has been thought to be caused by several theories, none of them have been confirmed. These include brain injury, infection, and brain abnormalities.

About 20% of people with OCD have tics which may link it to Tourette Syndrome but also has not been confirmed.

Seratonin: Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep. seratonin also has some cognitive functions, including memory and learning.

What are the Symptoms??

Symptoms- OCD is an anxiety disorder. People with OCD understand that what they are doing is irrational, but they feel like they have to do it.

Types of OCD

Washers: afraid of contaminations (wash hands)

Checkers: repeatedly checking things

Doubters and Sinners: something must be done or something bad will happen

Counters and Arrangers: order and symmetry

Hoarders: Something bad will happen if things are thrown away

OCD Thoughts

Fear of being contaminated

Fear of causing harm to self and others

Intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts or images

Excessive focus on religious or mral ideas

Fear of losing or not having things you might need

Order and symmetry- things must line up just right

Supersitious- luck

OCD Signs

Excessive double checking

Checking on loved ones

Counting, tapping, repeating certain word to reduce anxiety

Spending lots of time cleaning

Ordering or arragning things "just so"

Praying excessively or engaging in rituals triggered by religious fear